They both started playing basketball in Grade 8, they both dribbled the ball for Argyle’s senior team and now they’ll both be wearing UBC Thunderbird jerseys.

But the Vieweg sisters wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I was kind of pushing for Erika to come here,” Alex said, who’s going into her third season with the Thunderbirds. “I would rather play with her than against her.”

Eighteen-year-old Erika is just eager to get on the court.

“I am super excited overall,” she said. “For the past years I’ve gone out to watch Alex play.”

It’s a good time to join the blue and gold team, Alex noted.

Last year a young Thunderbirds team capped off league play on a 10-2 run. They advanced to the Pacific Division finals where they played two of their toughest games against arch rival SFU. In a do-or-die match UBC was defeated 62-58 by the Clan.

Although the team did not make nationals, it has a lot of strong players hungry to tie up their sneakers, Alex said.

“(The 2008-9 season) was kind of a rebuilding time. We had six rookies,” she said. “(This season) I think we are going to be good, but our division is tough.”

The sister act could be just the boost the Thunderbirds need. Erika was scooped up for her versatility. The 5-foot-11 forward was a big three-point shooter on her high school team, but also smothered some of the toughest post players.

Referred to as a “defensive anchor” by Pipers head coach Digby Leigh, Erika led the team in rebounding and blocks. She averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds over the course of the season, earning her a B.C. high school all-star title and a AAA Tournament all-star honourable mention.

Erika is a very physical player, UBC assistant coach Carrie Watson said.

“She has a lot to offer all round.”

Alex, who plays wing or forward, led the Thunderbirds in scoring at 11.8 points per game. She was also first in steals with 1.5 per-game and snagged second place in rebounds with 4.3 per game.

For now, the sisters are busy training for the upcoming season, eagerly anticipating playing together on the same court.

“There is a connection ,” Erika said of playing with her sister. “I kind of know what she is going to do.”

raldous@northshoreoutlook.com